AAA is a well-known name in the auto industry, offering not only car insurance, but also roadside assistance, travel services, and discounts to its members. But how does AAA auto insurance compare to other insurance companies in terms of coverage, rates, and benefits?
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you decide if AAA auto insurance is right for you.
Coverage and Benefits of AAA Auto Insurance
Separate regional insurance firms provide AAA car insurance under identical names and emblems. This implies coverage and perks vary by location and AAA membership. The following are some popular AAA vehicle insurance coverage and benefits:
- Liability coverage: This covers the damages and injuries you cause to others in an accident. It is required by law in most states.
- Collision coverage: This covers the damages to your own car in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It is usually optional unless you have a loan or lease on your car.
- Comprehensive coverage: This covers the damages to your car caused by events other than collision, such as theft, fire, vandalism, or natural disasters. It is also optional unless you have a loan or lease on your car.
- Medical payments coverage: This covers the medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It is optional in most states.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): This covers the medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs for you and your passengers in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It is required by law in some states, and optional in others.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This covers the damages and injuries you suffer in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. It is required by law in some states, and optional in others.
- Gap coverage: This covers the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the amount you owe on your loan or lease if your car is totaled in an accident. It is optional and only available if you have collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: This covers the cost of renting a car while your car is being repaired after an accident. It is optional and only available if you have collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Roadside assistance: This covers the cost of towing, battery jump-start, flat tire change, lockout service, fuel delivery, and more if your car breaks down on the road. It is included with every AAA auto insurance policy, but you can also purchase it separately as a AAA member without having auto insurance.
- Accident forgiveness: Prevents premium increases following your first at-fault accident. A solid driving record is required for this optional benefit.
- New car replacement: This replaces your car with a new one of the same make and model if your car is totaled in an accident within the first year or 15,000 miles of ownership. It is optional and only available if you have collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Custom equipment coverage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing any custom parts or accessories on your car, such as stereo systems, wheels, spoilers, etc. It is optional and only available if you have collision and comprehensive coverage.
Pricing and Discounts for AAA Auto Insurance
The price of AAA auto insurance depends on several factors, such as:
- The car you want to insure: Cars that are harder to fix or have safety problems may cost more to cover.
- Who you live with: Your price may go up if you live in a place with bad weather or a high crime rate.
- The types of service you choose: The more coverage you have, the more you will have to pay for your rate.
- How much you want to pay out of pocket: The deductible is the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before your insurance pays for anything. The bigger your deductible, the less you’ll have to pay for your insurance.
- Your record as a driver: If you got a ticket for speeding or broke another traffic law recently, it could affect how much you pay for your new car insurance.
AAA auto insurance also offers a variety of discounts to help you save money on your premium. Some of the most popular discounts are:
- Auto + home multi-policy discount: You can save up to 15.7% on auto insurance and up to 20% on home insurance when you combine those policies.
- Multi-vehicle discount: You can save up to 26% on select coverage when you insure 2 or more vehicles.
- AAA OnBoard® discount: You can save up to 15% per qualified vehicle at activation and up to 30% at your next renewal by using a device that tracks your driving habits.
- Good student discount: You can save up to 14% on select coverage if you are a full-time student with good grades.
- Defensive driving discount: You can save up to 10% on select coverage if you complete an approved defensive driving course.
- Low mileage discount: You can save up to 5% on select coverage if you drive less than the average driver.
- Loyalty discount: You can save up to 5% on select coverage if you have been an AAA member for at least one year.
- Pay-in-full discount: You can save up to 5% on select coverage if you pay your annual premium in full.
- Paperless discount: You can save up to 3% on select coverage if you enroll in paperless billing and policy delivery.
Customer Reviews and Satisfaction With AAA Auto Insurance
AAA auto insurance has a mixed reputation among customers, according to online reviews and ratings. Some customers praise AAA for its reliable roadside assistance, friendly customer service, and competitive rates. However, some customers complain about AAA’s slow claims process, poor communication, and high premiums.
According to J.D. Power, a global leader in consumer insights, AAA auto insurance ranks below average in customer satisfaction in most regions of the U.S., except for the Central and Texas regions, where it ranks above average. AAA auto insurance also has a lower-than-average complaint ratio, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which means that it receives fewer complaints than expected for its size.
When comparing AAA auto insurance with other insurance companies, it is important to consider not only the price, but also the coverage, benefits, discounts, and customer service. Some of the top competitors of AAA auto insurance are:
- Geico: Geico is one of the largest and most popular auto insurance companies in the U.S., known for its low rates, wide coverage options, and easy online service. However, Geico may not offer as many discounts or benefits as AAA, and its customer service may vary depending on the region.
- State Farm: State Farm is another large and well-known auto insurance company in the U.S., known for its extensive network of agents, comprehensive coverage options, and good customer service. However, State Farm may not have as low rates or as many benefits as AAA, and its online service may not be as user-friendly.
- Progressive: Progressive is a leading auto insurance company in the U.S., known for its innovative features, such as the Name Your Price® tool, the Snapshot® program, and the Compare.com platform. However, Progressive may not have as many discounts or as reliable roadside assistance as AAA, and its customer service may not be as consistent.
Conclusion
AAA auto insurance is a reputable and trusted name in the auto industry, offering not only car insurance, but also roadside assistance, travel services, and discounts to its members. AAA auto insurance provides a range of coverage and benefits options that can suit different needs and budgets. However, AAA auto insurance also has some drawbacks, such as its regional variation, slow claims process, and below-average customer satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to compare AAA auto insurance with other insurance companies before making a final decision.
